Asian markets on edge as US strikes Syria amid Xi summit

A man walks past an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, Friday, April 7, 2017. Asian stock indexes sank Friday as the U.S. fired missiles at a Syrian air base during President Donald Trump's first meeting with China's president, leaving investors on edge over the global outlook. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A man stands near an electronic stock board showing morning closing transaction value of Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, Friday, April 7, 2017. Asian stock indexes sank Friday as the U.S. fired missiles at a Syrian air base during President Donald Trump's first meeting with China's president, leaving investors on edge over the global outlook. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People walk past an electronic stock board showing morning closing transaction value of Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, Friday, April 7, 2017. Asian stock indexes sank Friday as the U.S. fired missiles at a Syrian air base during President Donald Trump's first meeting with China's president, leaving investors on edge over the global outlook. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

People riding a bicycle, walking and standing by an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm are seen through a passing bicycle wheel in Tokyo, Friday, April 7, 2017. Asian stock indexes sank Friday as the U.S. fired missiles at a Syrian air base during President Donald Trump's first meeting with China's president, leaving investors on edge over the global outlook. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

A woman rides a bicycle in front of an electronic stock board showing morning closing transaction value of Japan's Nikkei 225 index at a securities firm in Tokyo, Friday, April 7, 2017. Asian stock indexes sank Friday as the U.S. fired missiles at a Syrian air base during President Donald Trump's first meeting with China's president, leaving investors on edge over the global outlook. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

HONG KONG — Asian stock indexes were mixed Friday after the U.S. fired missiles at Syria during President Donald Trump's first meeting with China's president, leaving investors on edge over the global outlook.

AIRSTRIKES: U.S. warships fired about 60 cruise missiles at a Syrian air base in retaliation for a horrific chemical attack against civilians. The attack was a reversal for Trump, who had previously warned against involvement in the Syrian war but now says it is in the "vital national security interest" of the United States.

US-CHINA SUMMIT: The strikes came as Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened a high-stakes summit in Florida. Tensions over trade and North Korea's nuclear ambitions are among big topics on the agenda for the first meeting between the leaders of the world's two biggest economies. Trump appeared lighthearted as he greeted Xi ahead of a dinner on Thursday evening before the two were to tackle specifics the next day.

MARKET VIEW: "Formalities have been exchanged in the first day between the two leaders," said Jingyi Pan of IG in Singapore. "The second day is when the two sides are expected to delve into more market moving issues. Any tense outcomes could jeopardize potential gains for markets from positive economic data."

SAMSUNG'S QUARTER: The South Korean electronics giant posted a 48 percent jump in profits for the first three months of the year, beating analyst forecasts. Samsung released an upbeat earnings preview despite unprecedented crises including criminal charges for top executives linked to a political scandal and a fire-prone smartphone. Full numbers are due later in the month.

ENERGY: U.S. benchmark crude oil rose 81 cents to $52.51 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract added 55 cents, or 1.1 percent, to settle at $51.70 a barrel on Thursday. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 74 cents to $55.61 a barrel in London.

CURRENCIES: The dollar fell to 110.55 yen from 110.80 yen. The euro rose to $1.0649 from $1.0645.